Hi. I am Amy Brandes- a former Physical therapist who has recently become a middle school Culinary Arts teacher in Brevard County. As most of you know, this past summer I felt the Lord calling me to our schools. Being a teacher has been the most challenging job I have ever had, BY FAR. The past two months have brought many intensely difficult days. BUT… every day I have shown up and given my absolute best to these teenagers. And I plan to do just that for this entire school year (and beyond- if the Lord calls me to it).

Daily, I start the class with a Life Skills “Quote of the Day,” where we talk about choices, personal responsibility, integrity and character. We talk about hard work and consistency, what it takes to be a good friend and citizen, and many other things… before I begin teaching them about food and the culinary industry.

While teenagers are hard to read, I am connecting with them everyday- sharing my own life experiences with them in order that they may grow into who they are called to be; and though sometimes it feels futile, I KNOW it’s making a difference.

As I have been planning out my year, I see a huge area of need. I want to give these kids my best, not just in the Life Skills portion of the class, but in the culinary side too. But, the truth is… I just don’t have the funds to do that when it comes to cooking. I need help. Financial help. If you know me, you know I HATE asking for financial support more than anything. But… I am humbling myself bc I want this for the kids…. I am wondering if there would be willing to sponsor my culinary classes. Honestly, to do what I want to do- which isn’t anything crazy- we are about $3000 short.

I will explain. To be in the class for the year, each student is supposed to to pay a fee of $20. With 180 students, If every student pays it, that would give me $3600. (Not all have paid it, nor do I expect that they will- so this is probably an over-estimate). The district has given us $300 additionally. I have been told they will give a few hundred more than that at some point. If they give $600, I would have a total of $4200.

To make a batch of chocolate chip cookies, it costs $8. I have 6 classes- each with 6 cooking groups. That means, to make simple chocolate chip cookies, it would cost $48 per class x 6 classes = $288. If you divide the amount of money ($4200) by the amount it will cost ($288) you get close to 15 days. My goal is to cook one day a week. If you do the math, that means I will run out of money the first week of January. I am doing my best to stretch the money. If you know me, you know I am frugal. We started cooking today and we made popcorn- without butter- bc it’s cheap!

Anyway, I consider this a ministry and have spent plenty of “my own money” to make it happen. I would love if someone, or a few people, would see this as a ministry too and be willing to help financially.

If you would like more information, I would be happy to talk to you in person. I don’t even know how to go about this, but I keep feeling a pressing need to ask, and so I am.

If you feel led to help, I would be so grateful. Thank you in advance for your consideration and for your care. And if you can’t help, please pray for the kids. Prayer changes things.